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The Citizen, 2012-03-08, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012. The Huron County Federation of Agriculture (HCFA) and seven farm commodity groups presented briefs on the latest farm issues to Huron- Bruce MP Ben Lobb and MPP Lisa Thompson Friday. In a four-hour meeting, farm leaders and their parliamentary re- presentatives discussed everything from the need for more money for agricultural research and for the environmental, to relaxation of the Provincial Policy Statement on planning in order to allow more rural residential construction to a call for a moratorium on wind turbines until more research is done. Huron County members of the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) argued the need for research in market development, in quality enhancements, insect and disease control and agronomy. GFO itself invests $1.2 million of its members’ money in research. Joe Vermunt, president of the group, said his group took part in a tour of the Huron Research Station and praised the work of the researchers there. “It’s remarkable the work they’re doing there,” he told Thompson and Lobb in urging them to take the tour themselves. GFO and the Ontario Bean Producers Marketing Board had both invested in projects with their money triggering support from the federal and provincial governments, he said. Bob Fotheringham, past chair of the bean producers, said research had directly helped make 2011 a successful year for producers despite difficult conditions. Harvest was drawn out by wet weather which would have, in the past, destroyed or at least decreased the value of the harvest. “Thanks to the breeding program it helped beans withstand the weather,” he said. Despite pods being blackened by the moisture, the beans inside still kept their white colour which is essential to get full price. The yield was also surprisingly good, he said. “It’s getting harder and harder to fund research because of government cutbacks,” he said. Harvey Hoggart, in his brief for the Huron County Beef Producers, said research must be, at a minimum, maintained at its current level and refocused toward the extension of new and existing knowledge from the laboratory to primary producers and the rest of the value chain. The Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association asked for more funding for the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) to allow more projects to be undertaken. This past year all the money alloted was allocated within one hour of applications being accepted. In Huron, there was enough money for only 115 of the 137 applications. “It takes 24 soul-searching hours to complete the workbook (for the EFP) and then many more to formulate a doable project,” said Jeff Allan in presenting the brief. Projects need plans drawn up, quotes from contractors, proper permissions from conservation authorities, building inspectors and drainage superintendents and support from a banker before they can go forward. “With diminished funding it gets to be more of a lottery than a program, with less chance to actually get the matching funding, and therefore there is less interest in workshops and therefore less education about the environment in the countryside. In 2005 there was $18 million available for EFP in Ontario, but in 2011 this had been reduced to only $5.7 million. So far there has been no money allocated for the next edition of the EFP, Allan said. Lobb said he and Bruce-Grey- Owen Sound MP Larry Miller had spoken to the federal minister in support of the EFP. “Even in a year when departments are sharpening their pencils it should be expanded. It is a good program. I hope both the federal and provincial governments will support it.” Thompson said it is one of the last true extension programs available in agriculture. The issue of the Provincial Policy Statement trying to protect prime farmland came up in relation to discussions about wind turbines. Huron East councillor Les Falconer said the policy statement makes it almost impossible to build a house in a farming area but more land is taken up by a wind turbine, when you take into account the necessity for a road to service it, Falconer said. In its own brief on turbines, the Federation estimated two acres of farmland or more is lost when a turbine is built because of access roads, transformer sites, extra transmission lines and electrical grid upgrades. Jim Ginn, mayor of Central Huron, said Huron County is working hard to get the Provincial Policy Statement changed. It’s a one-page document that is supposed to cover every aquicultural situation. “I’ve always maintained the Policy Statement is not to save farmland but to drive development to the cities,” he said, noting that cities continue to expand onto farmland and the province had no concern about protecting farmland when Toyota wanted to build a new car plant. In his concluding remarks for the day, Ginn criticized the Huron Federation for its support of the policy statement. “It disappoints me that the Federation wouldn’t sit down and discuss the severance issue,” he said. “It’s a huge issue. We’re losing our rural population and the [rural] servicing costs are going up.” Art Versteeg, reeve of Howick, elaborated on the servicing issue pointing out that larger trucks and farm equipment are doing damage to Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending March 2 were 2,081 cattle, 407 lambs and goats. On Tuesday fed steers and heifers sold on a good strong trade at prices $1 higher. Choice steers and heifers sold $120 to $124.50 with sales to $130. Second cut sold $115 to $119. Cows sold steady. On Thursday veal sold on a strong active trade at prices $2 to $5 higher. Lambs sold slightly under pressure. Sheep sold steady and goats sold on an active trade. On Friday calves and yearlings sold on a steady market to last week’s prices. There were 37 fed steers on offer. Brian and John Mizen of Allenford, consigned five steers averaging 1,430 lbs. selling for an average of $121.20 with one red steer weighing 1,205 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $130. Dennis and MaryLou Bross of Listowel, consigned one black steer weighing 1,575 lbs. selling to Paradise Farms for $124.50. Brenda Wright of Kippen, consigned three steers averaging 1,525 lbs. selling for an average of $123.36 with two black steers averaging 1,575 lbs. selling to Paradise Farms for $123.75. Greg McCarthy of Dublin, consigned three black steers averaging 1,288 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $121. There were 171 fed heifers on offer. Southlore Farms of Palmerston, consigned 10 heifers averaging 1,205 lbs. selling for an average of $120.53 with one limousin heifer weighing 1,500 lbs. selling to Horizon Meat Packers for $128.50. Andy VanderVeen of Blyth, consigned eight heifers averaging 1,314 lbs. selling for an average of $122.19 with two limousin heifers averaging 1,363 lbs. selling for $128.25. Matthew Weber of Mount Forest, consigned 20 heifers averaging 1,299 lbs. selling for an average of $117.15 with one limousin heifer weighing 1,420 lbs. selling to Horizon Meat Packers for $125.50. Dave Coe of Shelburne, consigned 44 heifers averaging 1,463 lbs. selling for an average of $119.95 with one limousin heifer weighing 1,745 lbs. selling to Horizon Meat Packers for $124.25. M-R Farms of Exeter, consigned 12 heifers averaging 1,428 lbs. selling for an average of $122.99 with eight black heifers averaging 1,413 lbs. selling to Paradise Farms for $123.25. Brian and Bill Dallner of Atwood, consigned three heifers averaging 1,218 lbs. selling for an average of $121.91 with two black heifers averaging 1,253 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $123.25. Dave Bowles of Brussels, consigned five heifers averaging 1,364 lbs. selling for an average of $121.55 with one black heifer weighing 1,325 lbs. selling to Norwich Packers for $123.25. Kevin Stewardson of Wyoming, consigned four heifers averaging 1,381 lbs. selling for an average of $118.95 with one black heifer weighing 1,555 lbs. selling to Horizon Meat Packers for $120.75. There were 268 cows on offer. Export types sold $71.50 to $84 with sales to $96; beef cows, $77.50 to $86 with sales to $87; D1 and D2, $57 to $62; D3, $52 to $57; D4, $37 to $47. Reijnene Dairy of St. Marys, consigned one holstein cow weighing 1,445 lbs. selling for $96. Debruin Dairy Farms of St. Marys, consigned seven cows averaging 1,538 lbs. selling for an average of $74.03 with one simmental cow weighing 1,665 lbs. selling for $95. Trevor Pfeffer of Ayton, consigned six cows averaging 1,383 lbs. selling for an average of $79.71 with one simmental cow weighing 1,335 lbs. selling for $87. There were four bulls selling for $85.50 to $96.50. Noah Weppler of Ayton, consigned one red bull weighing 2,030 lbs. selling for $96.50. Brenda Perrie of Brussels, consigned one red bull weighing 1,845 lbs. selling for $91. There were 120 head of veal on offer. Beef sold $130 to $170 with sales to $174; good holstein, $100 to $115 with sales to $131; medium holstein, $90 to $100; heavy holstein, $90 to $100 with sales to $106. Lamar Frey of Listowel, consigned six veal averaging 723 lbs. selling for an average of $161.21 with one cross-bred steer weighing 690 lbs. selling for $174. John J. Miller of Auburn, consigned two veal averaging 870 lbs. selling for an average of $123.79 with one simmental steer weighing 840 lbs. selling for $130. John L. Miller of Lucknow, consigned two veal averaging 725 lbs. selling for an average of $130.23 with one gold heifer weighing 685 lbs. selling for $164. Lambs, 50 - 64 lbs. sold $160 to $275; 65 - 79 lbs., $209 to $241; 80 - 94 lbs., $185 to $214; 95 - 109 lbs., $180 to $195; 110 lbs. and over, $135 to $185. Sheep sold $60 to $90 with sales to $111. Goats: kids sold $70 to $125 to $155 per head; nannies, $50 to $100 to $110 per head; billies, $150 to $300 with sales to $350 per head. Top quality stocker steers under 400 lbs. sold $140 to $199; 400 - 499 lbs., $155.50 to $199; 500 - 599 lbs., $147 to $178; 600 - 699 lbs., $142.50 to $169; 700 - 799 lbs., $134.50 to $155; 800 - 899 lbs., $133 to $151; 900 - 999 lbs., $118 to $145; 1,000 lbs. and over, $102 to $126. Top quality stocker heifers 300 - 399 lbs. sold $135 to $192; 400 - 499 lbs., $134 to $172; 500 - 599 lbs., $136 to $169.50; 600 - 699 lbs., $140 to $164; 700 - 799 lbs., $136.25 to $149; 800 - 899 lbs., $129 to $138; 900 lbs. and over, $120.75 to $135. Federation holds annual dinner for politicians Swine conference coming soon AgricultureBrussels Livestock report Fed steers, heifers sell on strong trade TUESDAYS 9:00 a.m. Fed Cattle, Bulls & Cows THURSDAYS 8:00 a.m.Drop Calves 10:00 a.m.Veal 11:30 a.m. Pigs, Lambs, Goats & Sheep FRIDAYS 10:00 a.m. Stockers Call us 519-887-6461 Visit our webpage at: www.brusselslivestock.ca email us at: info@brusselslivestock.ca BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. UPCOMING SALES Now with two full program days, the 2012 London Swine Conference will be targetted for the two main phases of pork production in Ontario. Day one will focus on breeding success while day two covers aspects of maximizing return for market hogs. Held on Wednesday March 28 and Thursday, March 29, this year’s conference will again host both domestic and international speakers on a wide range of topics. Highlights will include Trent Loos of Loos Tales, on pork production in a YouTube environment and Jack Tacoma on dealing with and managing change. Main sessions will include updates on advancing reproductive technology, benchmarking, marketing options, global pork trade and more. Practical production tips and farm management tools will be discussed in workshop format with pork industry leaders such as Kilby Willenburg (Reproquest), Mark Wilson (Zinpro), Malachy Young (Gowans Feed Consulting), Mike Dyck (University of Alberta), Greg Bilbrey (Agristats). Full details on the conference program and speaker biographies are available online at www.londonswine conference.ca “Our industry is becoming guardedly optimistic about the future. We have been and continue to be immersed in constant change. The aim of this conference is to help attendees focus forward and be prepared for the future” says Stewart Cressman, conference chair. “After many difficult years, looking toward the future can be intimidating, but is more necessary than ever. With continued learning through conferences like this one, we aim to help stakeholders strengthen their planning and positioning for success.” Conference fees are $200 for both days, and $135 for a one-day registration. The fee includes one copy of the proceedings, an evening reception each day, continental breakfasts, lunches and all coffee breaks. Discounts are available for groups of five or more who register together. Registration deadline is March 16, 2012. Please note that there is no registration at the door. The London Swine Conference is a joint effort by staff from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), Ontario Pork, University of Guelph, Ontario Pork Industry Council, and is made possible through strong industry sponsorship. By Keith Roulston The Citizen Continued on page 19